[Federal Register: November 10, 1999 (Volume 64, Number 217)]
[Notices]               
[Page 61278-61279]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr10no99-42]                         

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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
[I. D.102299C]

 
Marine Mammals; File No. 962-1530

AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.

ACTION: Receipt of application.

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SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that The North Carolina State Museum of 
Natural Sciences, 102 North Salisbury Street, Raleigh, NC 27063, has 
applied in due form for a permit to take one blue whale (Balaenoptera 
musculus) skeleton for purposes of scientific research and educational 
display.

DATES: Written or telefaxed comments must be received on or before 
December 10, 1999.

ADDRESSES: The application and related documents are available for 
review upon written request or by appointment in the following 
office(s):
    Permits and Documentation Division, Office of Protected Resources, 
NMFS, 1315 East-West Highway, Room 13130, Silver Spring, MD 20910 (301-
713-2289);
    Regional Administrator, Southeast Region, NMFS,9721 Executive 
Center Drive, St. Petersburg, FL 33702-2432 (813-570-5301)
    Regional Administrator, NMFS, Northeast Region, One Blackburn 
Drive, Gloucester, MA 01930 (978-281-9250)

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Thomas McIntyre, 301/713-2289.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The subject permit is requested under the 
authority of the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972, as amended 
(MMPA; 16 U.S.C. 1361 et seq.), the Regulations Governing the Taking 
and Importing of Marine Mammals (50 CFR part 216), the Endangered 
Species Act of 1973, as amended (ESA; 16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.), the 
regulations governing the taking, importing, and exporting of 
endangered and threatened species (50 CFR 222-226).
    The applicant seeks a scientific research permit to import the 
skeleton of a blue whale recovered from an animal which stranded in the 
waters of the Gulf of St Lawrence, Canada in 1978. The specimen will be 
accessioned and cataloged in the research collections of the North 
Carolina State Museum. The specimen will be prepared for exhibit in the 
Museum. The NC State Museum of natural Sciences is a public institution 
funded by the State of North Carolina offering programs for education 
and public display.
    In compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 
(42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.), an initial determination has been made that 
the activity proposed is categorically excluded from the requirement to 
prepare an environmental assessment or environmental impact statement.
    Written comments or requests for a public hearing on this 
application should be mailed to the Chief, Permits and Documentation 
Division, F/PR1, Office of Protected Resources, NMFS, 1315 East-West 
Highway, Room 13705, Silver Spring, MD 20910. Those individuals 
requesting a hearing should set forth the specific reasons why a 
hearing on this particular request would be appropriate.
    Comments may also be submitted by facsimile at (301) 713-0376, 
provided the facsimile is confirmed by hard copy submitted by mail and 
postmarked no

[[Page 61279]]

 later than the closing date of the comment period. Please note that 
comments will not be accepted by e-mail or by other electronic media.
    Concurrent with the publication of this notice in the Federal 
Register, NMFS is forwarding copies of this application to the Marine 
Mammal Commission and its Committee of Scientific Advisors.

    Dated: November 2, 1999.
Ann D. Terbush,
Chief, Permits and Documentation Division, Office of Protected 
Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 99-29358 Filed 11-9-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-F